Pediatric Nurse Career Overview

Amanda Gamboa, RN, BSN

Updated

Reviewed by NursingEducation Staff

What is a Pediatric Nurse?

A pediatric registered nurse (RN) provides nursing care to infants and children from birth to age 18. Known as a “peds RN” in some settings, they work in all levels of care and a variety of institutions. Pediatric nurses are also responsible for providing nursing education to parents and caregivers. Pediatric nurses frequently collaborate with neonatologists and pediatricians (physicians caring for infants, children, and adolescents) to provide preventative, diagnostic, and acute care to patients.

What Does a Pediatric Nurse Do?

Pediatric RNs working in clinics will primarily see children who are feeling well or have a minor illness. Pediatric RNs working in hospitals will see more acutely ill or gravely injured patients. Pediatric nurses may work in various parts of the hospital, including the emergency room, the pediatric inpatient unit, the intensive care unit (PICU or NICU), and the operating room. Their scope of practice will vary by setting, but responsibilities for many pediatric RNs can include:

Pediatric RNs have the dual responsibility of providing and explaining nursing care to their patients, as well as to the caregivers supporting the patients. To be successful, pediatric nurses must learn how to connect with infants, children, and adolescents at different levels of development and understanding. During a typical shift, a pediatric nurse in a clinic could visit with a newborn, then a 17-year-old, and then a seven-year-old. Each patient (and caregiver) will require a different level of emotional support. Pediatric RNs are very familiar with developmental milestones, as well as the physiological changes that occur in children as they age.

How Much Does a Pediatric Nurse Make Per Year?

Pediatric RNs working in medical and surgical hospitals earn around $80,000 a year. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect data on nursing specialties, this wage information is based on the reported wages of all types of registered nurses in 2020. Nurses working in offices of physicians, such as RNs working with pediatricians, reported an annual mean income of $71,660. The median pay for all RNs in 2020 was $75,330, or just over $36 per hour. The median pay describes the middle of all reported incomes: half of RNs earned more than that amount, and half earned less.

Like all healthcare employees, pediatric nurses will note that pay varies by experience, institution, and location. RNs can generally expect a higher rate of pay in metro areas compared to rural areas. Some of the highest-paying RN positions are in California, where reported salaries reached over $100,000. Very rural or geographically isolated areas, such as Alaska, may also offer competitive rates of pay.


Citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm#st (visited February 25, 2022).

Where and When Do Pediatric Nurses Work?

Pediatric nurses work in hospitals on units such as the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), pediatric observation or inpatient unit, operating room (OR), emergency room (ER), or emergency department (ED). Some pediatric nurses work in women’s and children’s hospitals and may be qualified to work in multiple departments. As hospitals never close, these pediatric RNs usually work 12-hour shifts to maintain consistent and continuous care. Day shifts are generally 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; night shifts are usually 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. RNs working in the OR or ER may have more flexibility in their hours. When applying for a job, RNs generally apply to work primarily day or night shifts, and all nurses take turns working on the weekends and holidays. Pediatric RN contracts will include specific requirements for weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts.

Pediatric nurses working in a physician’s office or another clinic work typical business hours. Some pediatricians are also open on the weekends to accommodate more families. Clinic positions are less likely to require work on holidays and on-call shifts. Pediatric RNs can further specialize to work in a variety of clinics, including oncology, cardiology, and mental health services.

Pediatric RNs are also employed by schools. Daily responsibilities can include minor wound care, administering medications, taking vital signs, managing asthma attacks and allergic reactions, and assisting students with medical conditions like diabetes. School nurses must accurately assess
their patients and act in the students’ best interests. This includes deciding when to call an ambulance, when to call caregivers, and when a student needs to be sent home. School nurses may also be responsible for managing vaccination records and scheduling hearing and vision screenings.

How Do I Become A Pediatric Nurse?

A pediatric RN holds an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred by many employers. This degree can be completed in as little as 18 months for candidates with a prior bachelor’s degree. Many programs follow a four-year, or eight semesters, program schedule. Student nurses can seek clinical experiences and shadowing hours in any neonatal or pediatric area of care. After finishing a BSN, a graduate nurse is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. The NCLEX is a computer-based exam and must be passed before one can practice as an RN. An RN is then responsible for applying for licensure in the state where they plan to practice. Each state’s requirements vary, but many include a federal background check.

After gaining experience in a pediatric unit or clinic, pediatric RNs become eligible for additional certifications. Specialty-specific certifications are generally not required by employers, but they demonstrate a standardized level of knowledge and professionalism. RNs with specialty-specific certifications may be paid more and are more competitive job applicants. Eligibility requirements for certification include a combination of hours caring for pediatric patients and hours of continuing education. Pediatric RN certifications include and are offered by the following:

What Are Advanced Practice Pediatric Nursing Careers?

Pediatric RNs wishing to increase their scope of practice may pursue education and certification as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The three types of pediatric APRNs are nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

Pediatric nurse practitioners complete a pediatric-focused master’s or doctoral program. Upon graduation, an RN can become a certified pediatric nurse practitioner (CPNP) through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. CPNPs provide primary care similar in scope to a physician to infants, children, and young adults. They work in clinics, hospitals, outpatient facilities, public health offices, and more. CPNPs have varying scopes of practice by state, but many are able to create plans of care and prescribe medications for their patients.

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) specializing in pediatrics work directly with patients and/or as educators, researchers, and managers. In some states, CNSs are eligible to prescribe treatments and medications. Many CNSs, including pediatric CNSs, spend the majority of their time training and educating other RNs. Pediatric CNSs serve as excellent resources to their units and are regarded as experts in their fields.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are specially trained to provide anesthesia to their patients during procedures and surgeries. Pediatric CRNAs are often found in children’s hospitals or large teaching hospitals with large pediatric populations. Pediatric CRNAs are responsible for providing medications that prevent sensation and pain, continuously monitoring their patients during procedures, maintaining their patients’ airways, and more. Pediatric CRNAs often have the longest certification path of advanced practice nurses. Their lengthy training is rewarded with the highest pay of all APRNs and the ability to practice with increased autonomy.

What Are the Benefits of Being A Pediatric Nurse?

At all levels of care, pediatric RNs are able to provide support to young patients and their caregivers. Working in partnership with families to achieve positive outcomes can be very professionally and personally rewarding for RNs. Pediatric RNs are also often a source of comfort for families experiencing life-changing illnesses or accidents. An experienced pediatric RN has multiple opportunities for certification and additional education. Pediatric RNs can practice in a variety of environments and with varying scopes of practice and pay. An RN interested in working with children can explore many rewarding career options as a pediatric RN.